FSUNow | Fairmont State University - Brad Riffeehttp://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/category/tags/brad-riffee
en19 Students to Attend U.S. Presidential Inaugurationhttp://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/academics/19-students-attend-us-presidential-inauguration
<div class="field field-name-field-news-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Tuesday, January 08, 2013</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-share-buttons field-type-addthis field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style " addthis:title="19 Students to Attend U.S. Presidential Inauguration - FSUNow | Fairmont State University" addthis:url="http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/academics/19-students-attend-us-presidential-inauguration"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>Nineteen Fairmont State University students will witness an important moment in American history by participating in a 10-day academic seminar in Washington, D.C., focusing on the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.</p>
<p>The Washington Center is sponsoring the seminar to be held from Jan. 12 through 22 as part of its Campaign 2012 Academic Seminar Series. During the week before the Inauguration, which is planned for Jan. 21, the students will hear speakers, visit sites, take tours and attend briefings and special events, including a reception at the National Press Club. They will build a professional network and explore potential career paths.</p>
<p>Students will hear presentations by speakers in the mornings and have small group discussions and site visits in the afternoons. Each small group will prepare a memo to the president that outlines its advice and concerns for the new administration.</p>
<p>Topics to be covered include presidential transition and political appointments, congressional confirmations, media relations, congressional relations and agenda-setting for national and foreign policy.</p>
<p>The Office of the Provost, the Department of Social Sciences, the Department of Language and Literature and the Honors Program are helping to cover the costs of attendance for FSU students. Participating faculty members are Robin Payne and Hollianne Marshall in the Department of Social Sciences.</p>
<p>Participating students are Courtenay Bjorndahl of Grafton, majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Chaylee Cole-Coakley of Jane Lew, majoring in History; Cecilia Cotton of Clarksburg, majoring in Nursing and Political Science; Ashley Curry of Varney, majoring in Psychology; Veronica Fragale of Clarksburg, majoring in National Security and Intelligence; Lance Fullwood of Little Orleans, Md., majoring in Criminal Justice; Rosemary Grimm of Shinnston, majoring in Political Science; W. Cole Harper of Fairmont, majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Sean Marion of Bridgeport, majoring in Criminal Justice; Lindsay Menas of Fairmont, majoring in English; Sean Rafferty of Parkersburg, majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Brad Riffee of Morgantown, majoring in English; Kathryn Shields of Fairmont, majoring in Political Science and Communication; Caitlin Teetor of Scott Depot, majoring in Social Studies Education; Tyler Wilson of Beverly, majoring in National Security and Intelligence; Michael Workman of Bridgeport, majoring in Criminal Justice; Kaitlin Yohe of Lovettsville, Va., majoring in National Security and Intelligence and Political Science; Bradley Reed of Hurricane, majoring in Political Science; and Wesley Phelps of Falling Waters, majoring in National Security and Intelligence.</p>
<p>For more information about academic programs at Fairmont State University, visit <a href="http://www.fairmontstate.edu">www.fairmontstate.edu</a>. For more information about The Washington Center, visit <a href="http://www.twc.edu/inauguration">www.twc.edu/inauguration</a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/honors">Honors</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/brad-riffee">Brad Riffee</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/language-literature">Language &amp; Literature</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/lindsay-menas">Lindsay Menas</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/sean-rafferty">Sean Rafferty</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/courtenay-bjorndahl">Courtenay Bjorndahl</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/kathryn-shields">Kathryn Shields</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/sean-marion">Sean Marion</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/rosemary-grimm">Rosemary Grimm</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/social-sciences">Social Sciences</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/office-provost">Office of the Provost</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/robin-payne">Robin Payne</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/hollianne-marshall">Hollianne Marshall</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/chaylee-cole-coakley">Chaylee Cole-Coakley</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/cecilia-cotton">Cecilia Cotton</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/ashley-curry">Ashley Curry</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/veronica-fragale">Veronica Fragale</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/lance-fullwood">Lance Fullwood</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/w-cole-harper">W. Cole Harper</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/caitlin-teetor">Caitlin Teetor</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/tyler-wilson">Tyler Wilson</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/michael-workman">Michael Workman</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/kaitlin-yohe">Kaitlin Yohe</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/bradley-reed">Bradley Reed</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/wesley-phelps">Wesley Phelps</a></div></div></div>Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:19:08 +0000apellegrin9417 at http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunowProject May Create First Rooftop Gardens On Campushttp://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/academics/project-may-create-first-rooftop-gardens-campus
<div class="field field-name-field-news-date field-type-date field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, August 31, 2011</span></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-share-buttons field-type-addthis field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><div class="addthis_toolbox addthis_default_style " addthis:title="Project May Create First Rooftop Gardens On Campus - FSUNow | Fairmont State University" addthis:url="http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/academics/project-may-create-first-rooftop-gardens-campus"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=300" class="addthis_button_facebook_like" fb:like:layout="button_count"></a>
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-news-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/sites/default/files/styles/gallery_display/public/news_images/DSC_0054.jpg?itok=FnkaWuw0" rel="lightbox[field_news_image][]" title=""><img src="http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow/sites/default/files/styles/news_full_story/public/news_images/DSC_0054.jpg?itok=j5Pojc7J" width="300" height="199" alt="" /></a></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><p>English major and Michigan native Brad Riffee is creating a plan that could lead to the first rooftop gardens across the Fairmont State University campus.</p>
<p> For Riffee, who has family roots in West Virginia, a summer of high tech gardening was also a way of impacting his community. His inspiration came from Voltaire’s comic novel “Candide,” where the hero establishes a small farm on which he and his friends keep themselves from the three great evils: poverty, vice and boredom.</p>
<p> Candide said, “We must cultivate our gardens.” Riffee’s outlook is much the same: “We have the ability to grow and create anything. Through cultivating your own garden, you can help others grow.” </p>
<p>Riffee received a Summer Undergraduate Research (SURE) grant for his project, “A Feasibility Study: Hydroponic Rooftop Greenhouses at FSU.” He spent the summer growing tomatoes, lettuce and herbs in a self-devised hydroponic greenhouse system. The SURE Fellowships are awarded by FSU as part of its commitment to undergraduate research. </p>
<p>“This is just the first step in the process of where we’re going. The next step is to devise a plan of action. Finally, every flat building on campus would have a greenhouse on it,” explained Riffee. </p>
<p>The benefits of a hydroponic greenhouse, as opposed to a traditional, soil-based system, include the ability to grow year round and the possibility of adjusting the nutrients available to the plant based upon its maturity. In addition, the lack of soil aids in the prevention of plant diseases and insect infestations. </p>
<p>Dr. Robert Baker, Director of the Honors Program, was Riffee’s faculty mentor for the summer project. “Brad’s vision is expansive and even expanding. I think the project has helped him to more clearly define his vision. Brad’s project could be a first in bringing together a number of departments across campus to work on a project that would engage students,” Baker said. </p>
<p>The FSU junior expected to prove that rooftop hydroponic greenhouses could efficiently produce vegetables that could be used by campus dining services. A cost benefit analysis would likely determine that produce cultivated from the hydroponic garden would be fiscally beneficial to the university. </p>
<p>As the seeds were planted for Riffee’s project in the spring of 2011, he also expected to reap more than just the produce he would pick in the coming months. The research project was designed to ultimately combine multiple academic disciplines. </p>
<p>If hydroponic rooftop gardens come to fruition, biology and chemistry students could potentially maintain the project and integrate lessons into their classroom work. The Dining Services Department would have another source for fresh, local products when creating menus. Architecture students who are learning about structural design could be an integral part of getting the project from paper to the rooftops. </p>
<p>“I would feel blessed that I was able to help the university and help the students and provide a different learning environment,” Riffee said.</p>
<p>What does “be First” mean to you? To share your “be First” story, send an e-mail to <a href="mailto:befirst@fairmontstate.edu"><strong><font color="#d15322">befirst@fairmontstate.edu</font></strong></a>.</p>
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-taxonomy-vocabulary-2 field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Tags:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/honors">Honors</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/brad-riffee">Brad Riffee</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/english">English</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/be-first">be First</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/fsunow/category/tags/j-robert-baker">J. Robert Baker</a></div></div></div>Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:25:00 +0000swiles49030 at http://www.fairmontstate.edu/fsunow